Sonia Newell – Development Officer – Alumni & Community Relations

Welcome back to School for Term 4 – where has the year gone?  In spite of or maybe because of COVID-19 and all the changes we have had to make to stay safe, the year has really flown by.

October is Mental Health Month

2020 has seen so many changes in our lives and our ‘normal’ day to day routines, and it is important for us to recognise and acknowledge that some members of our community are doing it tough. Emanuel parent Claire Gil-Munoz, Jewish Care Manager Mental Health and Wellbeing was interviewed in last week’s Australian Jewish News about training programs they are offering to help support our community through these tough times. If you would like more details please email: familyandfriends@jewishcare.com.au. Jewish House (1300 544 357) is also an important communal organisation that supports people in need.

Big Brother Big Sister

Alumna Dayna Myers (Class of 2008) is a Social Worker in Youth Services at Jewish Care where they run the amazing Big Brother Big Sister (BBBS) and the Young Adult Mentoring Programs. They are currently seeking male mentors aged 18 to 40 years. If you or someone you know would like to get involved and/or would like more information about these programs please contact Kira Brandt or call 9302 8023.

Art for everybody

Over 60 Jewish community artists, including Year 11 student Saya Oshlack, will be featured in this year’s ABC Community Exhibition which has been organised by B’nai B’rith NSW in partnership with COA Sydney. It runs from Sunday 18 October 2020 to Sunday 25 October 2020. This year’s event also sees judging of the inaugural Wallenberg Portrait Competition. As only 20 people will be allowed in the B’nai B’rith Centre at any one time, bookings are essential. 

Emanuel past parent, Vivienne Radomsky, Project Manager at B’nai B’rith NSW, says it is all very exciting that this year’s exhibition is finally going ahead as it was originally postponed due to the COVID-19 lockdown.

Jeremy Spinak Young Leaders Program 2020

This initiative of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, named in honour of their past President, the late Jeremy Spinak (Emanuel alumnus, Class of 2000) identifies, trains and supports emerging Jewish political and communal leaders through a series of workshops, encounters, tours and meetings, all of which allow the participants to develop skills to become leaders and advocates. Successful candidates for this year’s program include three Emanuel alumni – Jonathan Eales (Class of 2007),  Chloe Corne and Nadia Coburn both from the Class of 2017 and also Ellie Mcrae who was a student here up until Year 10 (2013). We wish them all a wonderful year of learning and inspiration and we look forward to following their journeys. 

Gesher online Speaker Series session

11 November 2020 at 7.30 pm

Our guest speaker will be Ben Wilheim (Class of 2008), founder of Remember September

Invitation and booking details will be out soon, so watch this space.

B’nai B’rith & JNF Jewish Changemaker Awards 2020

The Jewish News has come on board to support the prestigious Changemaker Awards 2020, with nominations being made online.  

Here is a short video highlighting last year’s presentation evening. 

Emanuel students both past and present, often spend weekends and holidays volunteering their time to an array of worthy causes/organisations. This competition is divided into two age groups – youth (ages 14 – 18) or young adults (ages 18 – 35) so if you know someone in our community who is making the world a better place through volunteering, please nominate them for these awards. Who doesn’t love the opportunity to recognise such wonderful volunteering efforts. Anyone can nominate – parents, staff and even the nominees themselves. It would be amazing to see some of our students and alumni nominated again this year. Nominations must be received no later than Monday 16 November 2020.

Stay safe and Shabbat Shalom.

If you have photos and/or news to share, please send to: snewell@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au